Duplex snap fastener attaching machine



'A May 30, 1939. o; J'. HUELs'rER ET AL 2,160,146

DUPLEX SNAP FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE im I I M@ fi@- W May 30, 1939. o. J. HUELsTER ET Al. y 2,160,14 5

DUPLEX SNAP FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE Filed July 10, `195'? 3 Shets-Sheet 2 May 30, 1939- o. J. HUELs'n-:R ET Al. 2,160,14 6

DUPLEX SNAP FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE Filed July l0, 1937 3 SheetS-Shell 3 Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES ATET FFICE DUPLEX SNAP FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE Application July 10, 1937, Serial No. 152,928

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for simultaneously securing at a fixed distance apart, two snap fastener elements (sockets or stud elements) to a carrier fabric. A particular application of the present invention is to be found, for example, in uniting an overall bib pocket of the wide or double type having two spaced-apart snap fasteners to an overall bib having correspondin-gly spaced-apart complemental snap fastener elements. The use of snap fasteners in such relation has created a definite problem in the art because of the fact that on the iinished product the socket elements of the fasteners must line up absolutely accurately with the stud elements of the fastener in order to function properly and provide a smooth-lying fastener elements at the marked points, in both of which operations the human element cornesY into play, and, under working conditions where speed in production is an important factor, these sources of error are of primary importance. It will also be apparent that even the slightest error in securingeither the studs or the sockets at the exact kpoints intended for them will cause the failure of the pocket to line up properly and thus provide an unsatisfactory and unsightly pocket construction on the garment.

In overalls, for example, the spacing between the two fastener elements on a pocket may be any arbitrary distance, from about three inches to five inches, or more. In View of these variations, which, in part, are proportional to the size of the garment, it has been impracticable to set these fasteners by Iduplexing the conventional fastener setting machines because in placing such machines in side by side relation, the minimum distance obtainable between the setting stations of two machines was in excess of five inches. Moreover, even if it had been possible to obtain the desired result by so placing the conventional machines, the problem of varying the setting distances between two machines would require a complete shifting of at least one (Cl. 21S-0.5)

of the machines, a procedure` which would be highly impracticable.

The present invention seeks to overcome the difliculties and objections inherent in the present machines and to so modify conventional practice and the machines used therein as to solve the problem of economically and efficiently simultaneously setting two spaced-apart fastener elements.

To accomplish this we have so arranged a pair of fastener setting machine heads that the noses or setting stations thereof can be readily adjusted with respect to one another to definitely x the distance between the setting anvils. In addition thereto we have provided a table on which the bib of the overall, the geometrical shape of which is a trapezoid, can be pushed into the proper position within the setting space of the machine heads and the extent to which this trapezoid may be introduced into the machine may also be regulated by a setting edge at the rear of the machine, or this may be made to depen-d upon the sightof the operator. The machine may also be provided with a lighting Vdevice adapted to projectl a beam upon a point on the trapezoid eXactlyVmid-way between the points at vwhich the fastening elements are to be set and thereby aid in the properly positionling of thefabric for receiving the setting elements. v v

In setting, for example, stud fastener elements on an overall bib ofthe type hereinbefore specified, the operator will line up the light beam with the center lineV of the bib `(usually readily ascertainable by the central stitching thereof) and line up the top of the bib with an adjustable set edge at the rear of the gauge table, whereupon the two points on the bib at which the fastener elementsl are to be secured will be definitely fixed. The invention also contemplates having 4 one of the machine heads adjustable relatively to the other so that the distance between the setting stations can be readily and accurately changed with but little effort. By a similar mode 45 in such xed relation, may be secured by stitching to the bib with a minimum of difculty.

The invention will be better understood from the detailed description which follows, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein we have illustrated certain preferred embodiments of our invention, and wherein:

Figure l fastener vention, section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. l with certain parts broken away to better illustrate the construction thereof.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the plane of the line S-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the machine embodying our invention, with specific regard to the novel means for laterally adjusting one of the machine heads.

Fig, 5 is a top plan view of the type of machine shown in Fig. 4l, and specically showing the operating table and adjustable means forming part of our invention.

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially along the line @-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fractional plan view of an overall bib having spaced fastening elements secured thereto by one of the machines of our invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a pocket member having fastening elements secured thereto by one of the machines of our invention.

Fig. 9 is an assembly of the pocket element on the bib and showing the manner of completing an'overall peck-et construction contemplated by the present invention.

Referring iirst to Figs. and 2 of the drawings, we have shown our invention as applied to machines for attaching snap fastener elements to fabrics, which machines may be of any approved design and construction andembodying the features and operative parts disclosed in the following patents: Warner et al. No. 7.1.,499270, June 24, 1924, and Warner, 1,575,595, March 2, 192.

ln its broad concept our invention comprises two fastener setting heads with 'their associated parts so coordinated for simultaneously operating the plungers'cf said setting heads, and at least one of the setting heads being' adjustable laterally with respect to the other to selectively vary the distance'between the setting anviis of said heads. he machine shown in Figs. i. to

snbject to the 1linown instrumentalities employed in machines of this character, may be said to consist of a pair of standards EG, upon the tops of whichis mounted a table il having, in turn, mounted thereon setting head units consisting of pedestals i2 and 5&3 supporting respectively setting heads i5 and I5. In all major respects the pedestals ifi and i3 with their setting heads, are identical, and are mounted with the aXes of their setting stations in parallel, but as will be apparent, said setting heads are disposed 139 apart with relation to one another. Preferably, one of the pedestals, for example, pedestal is fixed upon the table i l by having the pedestal base il secured tothe table by means of belts it, and the other pedestal i2 is mounted on the table for adjustability laterally with respect to the pedestal IS. To profvrde for .adjustability the base of the pedestal is slidably mounted on the table between a pair of guides or tracks 2Q, 2i. For moving the pedestal toward and away from the is a front elevation of a duplex snap attaching machine embodying our incertain parts thereof being shown in justing @ugh a will draw the away from, in `any posithe base ci" the pedesta ing bolts e: tending into liso ,ai

.l is work tan-iL' ediate portion Ilens ci the w e helc s, such as 5E, v may "al scored line or lines rccve in said ment of c prt. Yded which is in and incr-lise the setting heads ing plunger i desired, fram Cif ifwmp and ether suitmultaneously rock both levers 50 to operate the stirrups I and the parts controlled thereby.

In Fig. 4 we have shown the invention as applied to fastener attaching machines which are not of identical design as are the setting heads I5 and I6, but on the contrary are what might be termed right and left hand types of machines each of which has its respective parts in substantially the relation to one another as an object has to its mirror image. These machines, which are mounted on a table 6B, may be said to comprise setting heads 6| and 62, respectively shown in dot and dash outlines mounted on pedestals having bases 63 and 64, respectively, the base 63 bein?,r fixedly mounted upon the table, while the base 6@ is mounted for lateral adjustability on the table. The setting heads 6| and 62, have noses t5 and E6, respectively, disposed at an angle to one another with the nose 66 adjustable toward, and away from, the nose 65 in a common vertical plane. To provide for this adjustability and to insure a proper guiding of the head 62, the base of the pedestal on which said head is mounted is formed on its under face with a groove 6T within which slidably engages a tongue 68 formed on the table 60. For moving the base 43, an adjusting unit comprising a screw 69, bearings 'lil and il, and an operating handle 72, in all respects similar to the parts 22 to 21 hereinbefore described, may be employed, and for holding the setting head in its adjusted position, clamping bolts i3 engaging in the table 6G and extending through longitudinal parallel slots 14 in the pedestal base may be employed. In a manner quite analogous to that hereinbefore described with respect to Fig. 1, the operating mechanism of both plunger heads may be simultaneously operated through rocking levers 15', l5", mounted on shafts l5 adapted to be rocked by downward pressure upon a treadle plate 'l1 mounted over treadles T16, said treadle plate ll being pivotally bolted to rocking lever 'I5' for movement into inoperative position so that either treadle 16 may be independently operated.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we have shown a work table and guide means attachments for the machine assembly disclosed in Fig. 4 for definitely locating the points on the fabric at which the fastening elements are to be secured. These means comprise a iiat work table 'I8 of substantially rectangular configuration having at its rear edge cut-out portions 'F9 and 8i) for clearing the noses E5 and lit of the setting heads, and a projecting tongue 8l extending between said noses. The work table 'I8 is mounted on a bridge or bracket member B2 having an outwardly-extending flange 83 at each end thereof resting on a supporting plate 85, one end of which is secured by fastening elements to an arm 86 extending from, and supported by, the base of the setting head 6l, while the other end thereof rests upon a similar arm 8l secured to, and extending from, the base of the setting head 52. The top face of the supporting plate 85 is formed with depressed portions 88 into which the ends S3 of the bracket seat and are gm'ded, and said depressed portions are further formed with longitudinally aligned slots 89 through which extend clamping thumb screws 90 carried by the fianges 83 of the bracket member to secure said bracket member in longitudinally adjusted position on the supporting plate 85.

The top face of the work table 'I8 is provided with a central guide or index 9| of any preferred or desired construction, and as herein shown consists of a filling of colored material disposed in a central groove 92 formed in the top face of the work table. Lateral adjustability of the bridge 82 upon the supporting plate 85 will permit setting the guide or index 9i on the work table 'i8 equidistant from the settingstations 93 and 94 of the setting heads 6l and 62, respectively.

Mounted on lugs $5 and tt' projecting from the base of the setting heads 65 and ES are slotted clips 95, which have upwardly extending pins Q6 extending through, and adjustable longitudinally in the slots therein. The pins intermediate their ends have an enlarged shoulder 96', and below said shoulder are screw-threaded and engaged by a clamping nut 91 to hold the pins in adjusted position within the slot in the clips. The pins 96 function as stops for engaging the edge of the fabric upon which fastening elements are to be secured, and the adjustment of said pins is such that they will control the distance from the top edge of the fabric inwardly at which the fastening elements are to be secured, it being observed that the pins Q6 are herein shown as set in alignment a fixed distance rearwardly of a line xjoining the setting stations 93 and 94.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, we have shown one type of product with respect to which the present machine mechanism is particularly applicable; Fig. 7 being a fractional plan of a bib portion of an overall; Fig. 8 being a pocket member; and Fig. 9 showing the assembly of the pocket member on the bib portion. As usually constructed, the bib portion 83 is of substantially trapezoid outline and has a straight top edge S9, and is usually formed by sewing together two pieces of fabric with a multiple seam, such as HB9. The pocket member lll is herein shown as of oblong form with parallel top and bottom edges and curved or bowed side edges, and formed of two pieces of fabric joined together by a central multiple seam E02, and a turned back and finished seamed top edge m3.

While either of the two types of setting machines herein disclosed may be used for simultaneously ysetting a pair of spaced fastening elements on fabrics for varied purposes, the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 is here shown as equipped for setting stud and post elements on the bib portion of an overall; and the machine illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is equipped for setting cap and socket elements on the pocket member of an overall prior to the securing of said pocket member to the bib portion.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figs. l to 3 for setting the stud and post elements on the bib portion of the overall, the setting head i5 is rst adjusted on the table l l so as to definitely x the distance between the setting stations on the heads I5 and i3 by adjustment of the screw 23 and the subsequent tightening down ofthe clamping bolts 28. 'Ihe work table 3d is then laterally adjusted through the medium of the bolts 33 to bring the visible index 48 equidistant from the setting stations. The gauge bar d4 is then set to engage the top edge of the trapezoid bib portion 98 when supported on the table, and the seams IBB on the bib are then brought into alignment with the index #il on the gauge bar and the index 43 on the work table, thereby definitelyr fixing the points on the bib portion at which the fastening elements are to be attached. Each setting head will intermittently feed post and stud elements to their respective setting stations, and upon pressing downwardly on a treadle 49 or the connecting plate 52, the plungers of the setting heads will be brought into operation to attach a stud and a post to the bib portion at each setting station. The bib portion is then removed and the operation repeated on other bib portions. in a somewhat analogous manner the cap and socket elements are attached adjacent the top edge of the pocket member lill on the machine 'n i Figs. 5 and 6. In accomplishing this ng stations 93 and SM will be adjusted so ro locate them exactly the same distance apart s the setting stations on the machines of Figs. 1

to 3, by moving of the setting head 82 in a man- .or analogous to that described with respect to e movement of setting head i5; this being done,

v table 3S is adjusted laterally along the fr plate so as to bring the indexing f equidistant from the setting stations and 917.-. lThe pins 96 in the slotted clips 95 will .hen be adjusted to fix the distance inwardly m the top edge of the pocket member at which f .e cap and socket elements are to be attached.

20 :Ehe pocket member HB5 will then be presented v. table 78 so that the top edge |03 engages s and the seams m2 coincide with the 2. whereupon. by pressing down on the die l a pair ci cap and socket elements, ich will be fed to the respective setting stauons, will be simultaneously attached to the member. Should be found necessary to provide addimeans for truly centering the pocket mein- 30 oer er the bib portion preliminary to attaching :coing elements thereon, a spot light 95, ...fn Figs. l and 5, may be provided, which "estable te throw a spot of light ll upon e. exactly midway between the setting stawhich light spot will be focused on a preetermined seam connecting the bib portion secor the pocket sections.

e stud and post elements being secured to the portion, and the cap and socket elements being secured to the pocket member exactly the same d tance apart, the pocket member is thereupon secured through its fastening elements to the fastening elements on the bib portion, and

'th the parts in this relation the pocket is then 5 sewed onto the bib portion. This method of procedure absolutely insures proper complementel engagement of the fastening elements on the ncltet member with those on the bib portion and overcomes any possibility of puckering of o `her the pocket member or bib portion when.

seid parts are connected together. It not only insures perfect pocket formation, but also accomies this in a more economical manner than eretoiore been possible.

,.ie our invention has been hereinbefore described with specic relation to the secur'ng oi overall pocket member on an overall bib portion, it will be apparent that the concept underlying the invention is susceptible of application tO 60 any character of device where cooperation between definitely spaced fastening elements on two fabric members is involved. It will also be understood that while we have shown and described our invention as applied to standard types of fastener element setting machines with but slight inodication thereto, the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specic types of machines illustrated, since it may be applied to other existing or newly developed types of machines within the range of engineering skill, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

l. A duplex snap fastener attaching mechanism comprising two fastener setting heads with associated parts, means for operating said setting heads, each setting head having a projecting nose containing a setting station, a base extending laterally beyond the projecting nose and an anvil in alignment with said nose, the heads being so related that the noses thereof are directed toward each other with the axes of their setting stations parallelly disposed, and at least one of said setting heads being adjustable laterally with respect the other to selectively vary the distance between the setting stations while maintai ing said parallel axial relationship therebetween.

2. duplex .snap fastener attaching mechanism according to claim l, wherein the projecting noses on the setting heads are directed at an angle toward each other.

3. A duplex snap fastener attaching mecha.- nlsrn comprising two setting units having setting stations the axes of which are disposed in parallel relation, each setting unit comprising a setting head having a nose through which an axis of a setting station extends and an anvil in alignment with said head, the heads being so related that the noses thereof are directed. toward each other, means for adjusting one or the setting units .laterally with respect to the other selectively varying the distance between the setting stations while maintai Lg the of said setting stations in parallel relation, a support for a fabric to which the fastener elements to be attached, and gauge means for promoting the definite positioning of the fabric to insure the fastening elements being secured thereon at the proper spaced apart points, said supp-srt being adjustable independently of the adjustabl'y of the setting units.

4. A duplex snap fastener attaching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the gauge means are on the support.

5. A duplex snap fastener mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the gauge means comprise an adjustable light source for directing a spot of iight onto the support in denite spaced relation to the setting stations of said setting units.

C. A duplex snap fastener mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the fabric support is carried by the setting units.

OTTO JOHN HUELSTER. JEROME GANIERRE W'OLFF. 

